This month, we celebrated Spread the Word: Inclusion. We congratulate all participating schools in their creativity, dedication and Inclusive Youth Leadership on this notable campaign. This event always sparks deeper conversations, awareness, and respect for all students and staff on campus. Well done everyone!

Want to learn more about how to become a National Banner Unified Champion School this year? Watch this video to learn more!

Here are the standards for your school level:

The 2022 Virtual Unified Youth Summit event registration is now open. Click here to sign up. **The first 100 schools with Unified pairs to register will receive a fun curriculum and supplies kit. Please don’t wait to register – this is first come, first served. 1 kit will be shipped per school.

Event Overview: Youth leaders will learn from and engage with a Special Olympics Florida Unified team competing at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando in June, and learn how to develop their own Unified programs at their schools by activating inclusion, youth leadership and inspiring others on campus. 2022 Unified Youth Summit participants will also focus on the value of volunteering and creating supportive friendships and systems to build a stronger, more inclusive school culture. Youth leaders will have the opportunity to make a difference through Special Olympics Florida Unified activities such as the upcoming USA Games in Orlando.

Eligibility: Open to 1 athlete and 1 Unified partner and 1 adult mentor or staff. Students must be in 5th grade and up.

When and Where: Wednesday, May 4, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and Thursday, May 5, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Please plan to attend both sessions on Zoom!

The next class of U.S. Youth Ambassadors is now accepting applications. We encourage you to nominate a Unified pair of all genders, races, and ability levels. U.S. Youth Ambassadors represent Special Olympics North America and their State Program like Collier County athlete Tajha Ilerant featured below.

Please contact us if you have a Unified pair to nominate! You can preview the application here. We look forward to welcoming a new class of U.S. Youth Ambassadors!

FHSAA Basketball - Four teams competed at the Unified division of the FHSAA State Championships at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on February 25 and March 4. St. Cloud High School won the Division 2 title against Plant City High School with a final score of 50-37. They were cheered on by the Unified cheer squad from St. Cloud!

Young Athletes, Little ELITES, Rising Stars and competitive track Unified Sports programs are busy training and celebrating this month! Contact us to make plans for your culminating events this Spring.